Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-03-05

lieve he will 90 over the same track"
There is something in that sain
my companions; ''but ! hope that he
vii not come. Think Of the effect op-
on his mind if our suspicious should
turn out TO be fhe truth"
'Hush!' whispered.
The door creaked a little. and \
white-robcd iigure gently glided in.
at is the judge!' said the doctor
under his breath.
And it vas the Judge. 1t was plainly
evident even IN the moonlight that no
was asleep, but his features were
twitching convulsiycly. In his right
band he carried the dagger.
Swiftly, and yet without making the
slightest noise, the slccpwalker APP
preached the bed. and, stretching forth
one hand. commenced cautiouA feel
ing. when his hand rested uy the
sham figure he delivered the same rap
id thrust with the dagger that | had
witnessed the night before, and fed
| from the room.
DR.. Hinton was \ coel man when
there was work to do He signaled to
me, and W. ran after the Judge, fol-
lowing him into his room.
Judge Pike closed his door and faced
us. For a moment l thought that he
was awake, but soon saw that he was
unconscious. He went to his trunk,
and, lifting its contents carefully,
placed the dagger at the bottom. Then
he threw himself into an armchair.
IL hate to do it," said DR.. Hinton,
.'but it must be done"
He advanced to the chair and shock
the sleeping man.
How dare youe' he exclaimed.
What does this mcanP Why, gentle
men, this is strange. How is it that
| you are in my roomp"
He looked down at his eostu/k and
buried his face in his hands.
Have | been illp" he asked.
My friend" said the doctor. II IN
about to bring Il great sorrow upos
you, bnt ! know that you are brave
enough to bear the truth. What | have
To say does not reflect upon your char
actcr, and it is necessary that YOU
should know it,"
Speak huskily commanded the
Judge.
May | open your trunk amoment?"
asked the doctor.
Certainly" was the reply, "make
yourself ut home"
The doctor drew from the bottom Of
the trunk the dagger.
How did that get thcrep" was the
Judges stern question. II have no
weapons. ! never saw that before.
The doctor held the dagger up. On
its handle was engraved the name of
John Luf.
This calls for an explanation, sir!'
said Judge Pike, with an angry look.
''Tell him." said the doctor, turning
to me.
Ii was the hardest task Of my life.
bet in some fashion | managed TO tell
the story. In the middle of it the doe
tor came to my rescue, and, with his
arm around his friends neck, he told
him all the events Of the night.
The judges face assumed a ghastly
pallor. and several times / expected to
see him faint. He took the dagger in
his hand and looked at the name.
II understand it ALL" he %groaned.
He threw the dagger on the floor.
"Gentlemen,' said he, sadly, 'leave
me now. Let me sleep, if 1 can. In
the morning my nerves will be strnger
and we will then consult together 10
see how to do Justice to Lun without
doing injustice to me. The whole truth
must come OUT
We left the room and returned 10
mine.
What will be the end of itp" asked
the doctor.
''lmpossible to say" he replied.
pike is n religious man. He will not
commit suicide or do anything rash"
We were at the breakfast table when
the landlord rushed in and said to the
doctor:
Come. quick! Judge Pike is dead
or dying"
We hurried to the Judges room. but
it was too late. The wretched man was
dead.
TO our great JOY it was net a case of
suicide. DIR. Hinton made y thorough
investigation, and satisfied himself that
his friend had died of heart disease.
Perhaps it was better so. When the
doctor and made our statement TO the
prosecuting attorneys no one questioned
II. There was great surprise. but the
indictment was readily ''nollied,n as
the miners calted ii, ard Luff 81 set
at liberty.
lit was q close shave" he said, when
he set IN the drinks that night. land
this climate doesn't suit my health. |
am going to skip"
Siiverton was not sorry to sec
him 60. If he was not TO be hanged
there was no way in which he could be
utilized, and the miners counted his
room better than his oonapany.-
Atlanta Constitution.
THE TREASURY.
Representative Weaver VIII Appeal 10
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